Smart towns of the future, today

Learn how we can live greener in 'Smart Towns'.

Age: Primary School, Secondary School
Time: 3 minutes
Format: Video & Photogrammetry

We already have the knowledge and technology to create places to live that are healthy, sustainable, affordable, and innovative for our community.

Watch this video about the 3D model from the Australian Museum's Future Now exhibition. Learn how communities use plants to live greener and build stronger communities.

How to use plants in Smart Towns

Algae superstar

There are tiny, bright green algae at work on these buildings that absorb waste carbon dioxide gas and turn it into fresh oxygen. They also create fuel and fertiliser that are good for our environment.

Food to share

When supermarkets, food businesses, and restaurants have too much food, groups like OzHarvest pick it up and deliver it to charities that help feed people in need.

Planting indigenous foods

Fruits, herbs and spices that are native to Australia are not only delicious, but also provide a home to local birds, animals, and insect pollinators. You can ask your council or nursery for more information.

Community gardens

A community garden is a great place to grow delicious, fresh food and meet people in your neighbourhood.

➔ Your council can help you find a garden in your community or give advice on how to start one up of your own

Farmers’ markets

A great way for farmers and communities to connect, these markets bring us food that require less energy and packaging to transport. It's also a more fun way to shop!

➔ By planting more native trees, we can create healthier places for us and other species to live.

Cool trees

Trees provide fresh air and shade. As our country gets hotter, trees can help us cope. Pavements, streets and playground surfaces are on average 20°C cooler when shaded by trees.

Good plastics

There are now plastics made from plants and algae. They're not as harmful as plastics made from fossil fuel.

Roof gardens

Roof gardens keep our buildings cool, provide food, and give us and other species healthier spaces to live. Gardens build resilience.

Vertical gardens: growing cleaner air

The more plants we can add to our cities, the more pollution they can absorb to create cleaner air to breathe. Plants also keep our buildings cooler as Australia heats up.

Find out more at our Future Now exhibition

Take a look into a hopeful future and explore the benefits of sustainable living in this new pop-up exhibition created by the Australian Museum. It's touring Stockland Retail Town Centres in 2022.

Learn more